About Us
The Campaign for the Arts (CFA) is a private community initiative to raise contributions that, when matched with public dollars already committed, will enhance the District’s historic icons: the Whatcom Museum and Mount Baker Theatre.
The Museum’s current cramped children’s facility will be replaced by a larger space far better suited to the potential of this well loved institution. In addition, all the irreplaceable works from permanent and visiting collections and exhibits will be protected in the Museum’s new fine arts facilities.
The Theatre is already offering new programs as the result of the first phase of improvements. Two additional performance and meeting spaces have opened to brisk bookings. At a glance, the building is aging gracefully but upon closer inspection, the inner workings need attention.
The CFA celebrates these places we cherish, places that teach, inspire, connect, entertain and enrich us in many ways. The CFA is an investment in the quality of our facilities, our experiences and our future.
The great news, we’re more than half way there!
Cities across the country are working to cultivate arts districts. They are magnets for economic vitality, catalysts for private investment and mainstays for community gathering. There are many exciting changes already underway in Bellingham’s Arts District, and more are on the horizon. We invite you to be a part of bringing this vision to life by contributing to CFA.
Your gift will support a combination of capital improvements and permanent operational support for the community’s two most iconic arts organizations - the Whatcom Museum and Mount Baker Theatre.
Gifts may be made through the Whatcom Community Foundation. Please contact us to learn more about how you can be a part of Bellingham’s bright and exciting future - be part of the Arts District.
The CFA will raise $8.6 million, in addition to the $20 million rebated from state sales tax revenue and additional private funding, in order to meet its goal. Of the $8.6 million, $4 million is designated for capital funds, $4.2 million will be placed in an endowment to insure the future operational costs for both the Mount Baker Theatre and the Whatcom Museum. The remaining funds will cover campaign costs.
